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Abstract:

An electronic payment system is provided to comprise a mobile terminal 10
for emitting a remotely operable signal, a communications device 5
connected to an automated machine 1 for receiving remotely operable
signal emitted from mobile terminal 10, and an automatic payment device 6
linked to a financial database 7. Communications device 5 retrieves from
remotely operable signal an account number of a holder of the account at
financial database 7. Payment device 6 receives a monetary signal
indicative of a transaction fee, withdraws the amount of transaction fee
from the correct holder's account to produce an authorization signal to
communications device 5 that drives automated machine 1 without credit
transaction.

Claims:

1. An electronic payment system comprising: a mobile terminal for
emitting a remotely operable signal, a communications device connected to
an automated machine for receiving the remotely operable signal emitted
from the mobile terminal, and an automatic payment device linked to a
financial database, wherein the communications device receives a monetary
signal indicative of a transaction fee necessary to drive the automated
machine simultaneously with, before or after receiving the remotely
operable signal to retrieve from the remotely operable signal an account
number identifying a holder of the account at the financial database and
the monetary signal if contained in the remotely operable signal, and the
automatic payment device receives the holder's account number signal and
the amount of the transaction fee received from the communications device
and withdraws the amount of the transaction fee from the holder's account
at the financial database to produce an authorization signal to the
communications device that produces the monetary signal to drive the
automated machine.

2. The electronic payment system of claim 1, wherein the automatic
payment device withdraws the amount of the transaction fee from the
holder's account of the financial database when the transaction fee is
within a deposit balance of the account.

3. The electronic payment system of claim 1, wherein the mobile terminal
emits the monetary signal along with the remotely operable signal that is
received by the communications device to retrieve the monetary signal,
the automatic payment device receives the monetary signal and withdraws
the amount of the transaction fee from the holder's account at the
financial database.

4. The electronic payment system of claim 1, further comprising: an entry
device for inputting and transmitting the monetary signal to the
communications device, wherein the automatic payment device receives the
monetary signal from the communications device and withdraws the amount
of the transaction fee from the holder's account at the financial
database.

5. The electronic payment system of claim 1, wherein the remotely
operable signal includes at least one of PIN and ID numbers for
identifying the holder in addition to the holder's account number, the
communications device receives at least one signal of the PIN and ID
numbers along with the remotely operable signal, the automatic payment
device retrieves at least one signal of the PIN and ID numbers from the
remotely operable signal and withdraws the amount of the transaction fee
from the holder's account at the financial database when at least one of
the PIN and ID numbers corresponds to one of security numbers at the
financial database.

6. The electronic payment system of claim 1, further comprising: an entry
device for inputting and transmitting to the communications device at
least one signal of PIN and ID numbers for identifying the holder, the
automatic payment device receives at least one signal of the PIN and ID
numbers from the communications device and withdraws the amount of the
transaction fee from the holder's account at the financial database when
at least one of the PIN and ID numbers corresponds to one of security
numbers at the financial database.

7. The electronic payment system of claim 1, further comprising: a
display device connected to the communications device, wherein the
communications device receives the authorization signal from the
automatic payment device to produce and transmit a deal signal to the
mobile terminal or to the display device to exhibit the deal signal
thereon.

8. The electronic payment system of claim 1, further comprising: a
display device connected to the communications device, wherein when the
communications device receives the remotely operable signal but fails to
retrieve the holder's account number signal from the remotely operable
signal, the communications device produces and transmits a no-deal signal
to the mobile terminal or to the visual display device.

9. The electronic payment system of claim 1, wherein the communications
device comprises: a signal processor for retrieving and producing at
least one signal of the PIN and ID numbers and the monetary signal from
the remotely operable signal, and a communications interface for
intervening telecommunication between the mobile terminal and signal
processor.

10. The electronic payment system of claim 1, wherein the automated
machine is a gaming machine that comprises a drive device connected to
the communications device and gaming hardware drivingly connected to the
drive device, wherein the communications device forwards the monetary
signal to the drive device that produces to the gaming hardware drive
signals of the amount equivalent to the value of the transaction fee, and
the gaming hardware is driven by the drive signals from the drive device.

11. The electronic payment system of claim 10, further comprising: a bill
acceptor for validating a bill inserted from outside to produce the
monetary signal to the drive device when the bill acceptor decides that
the inserted bill is genuine, wherein the bill acceptor receives the
monetary signal from the communications device and forwards to the drive
device the both monetary signals that the bill acceptor produces and
relays from the communications device, the drive device generates to the
gaming hardware drive signals of the amount equivalent to the value of
the transaction fee to allow the gaming hardware to conduct a game.

12. The electronic payment system of claim 8, wherein the transaction fee
indicates a money amount corresponding to each denomination of bills
optically or magnetically readable by the bill acceptor.

13. The electronic payment system of claim 10, wherein the drive device
generates and transmits to the communications device a refund money
signal of an unspent remaining amount, award, prize or jackpot obtained
from the game if any when the drive device has completed its
program-controlled operation or when a force-quit button is operated to
terminate the game, and the communications device transmits the refund
money signal to the mobile terminal.

14. The electronic payment system of claim 13, further comprising a
printer for recording game information on a recording medium, wherein the
printer records data on the refund money signal from the drive device on
the recording medium and prepares a coupon of the recording medium for
dispensation of the coupon from the printer.

15. An electronic payment system comprising: a mobile terminal having
memory means and transmission means, the memory means storing an
electronic amount signal of prepaid money and at least one specific
signal of PIN and ID numbers for identifying a holder of the mobile
terminal, the transmission means emitting a remotely operable signal
including the at least one specific signal, a storage device for storing
at least one of users' PIN and ID numbers, and a communications device
connected to an automated machine for receiving the remotely operable
signal emitted from the mobile terminal to retrieve the at least one
specific signal in the remotely operable signal, wherein the
communications device also receives a monetary signal indicative of a
transaction fee necessary to drive the automated machine simultaneously
with, before or after receiving the remotely operable signal, the
communications device produces the monetary signal to drive the automated
machine and also produces a deduction signal of the transaction fee to
the mobile terminal, when the communications device decides that the
monetary signal and the at least specific signal are valid as a result of
comparing the at least specific signal with information stored in the
storage device, and the mobile terminal receives the deduction signal
from the communication device to deduct the transaction fee from the
prepaid money amount in the memory means.

Description:

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] This invention relates to an electronic payment system for
receiving a remotely operable signal transmitted from a mobile terminal
such as a cell phone to operate an automated machine such as a gaming
machine by real-time electronic payment transaction without credit
transaction.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] In countries such as the U.S. that authorizes casino-owning
business, players can enjoy games with gaming machines while paying cash
for games in casinos or game halls. Some of known gaming machines usually
have a bill acceptor for example as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,264,556
(Document 1). In another aspect, Japanese Patent Disclosure No.
2009-265991 (Document 2) demonstrates an electronic settlement system in
game halls such as amusement arcades.

[0003] The gaming machine shown in Document 1 comprises a button panel
including a display and a user interface area for allowing an operator to
play a game of chance, a bill acceptor incorporated into the machine for
accepting and validating currency to credit the user with a corresponding
number of play credits for the gaming apparatus, and a note dispenser for
dispensing currency as payout for successful play.

[0004] The electronic settlement system exhibited in Document 2 comprises
a plurality of terminal systems each electrically connected to
corresponding one of a plurality of gaming machines provided in amusement
arcades to handle transaction fee information in terminal systems, and a
payment device communicated with the terminal systems through a
communication network to electronically pay playing fees in gaming
machines from terminal systems. Each terminal system comprises a card
processor for rewriting squared information stored in an IC (integrated
circuit) card for settlement and a settlement controller for establishing
a telecommunication with the payment device to send and receive squared
information between the card processor and settlement controller in
accordance with command signals from the electronic settlement device and
to give a gaming machine a permission of the utilization when receiving a
notice of settlement completion from the payment device. The payment
device comprises a signal processor for making settlement based on
squared information read from IC card through a terminal system and for
writing new squared information on the IC card through the terminal
system upon completion of payment process, a settlement communicator for
sending a settlement signal of the payment to the terminal system, and a
processing communicator for sending processed information on settlement
process to a superior settlement system through a communication route
except the communication network.

[0005] Meanwhile, a known debit card is a plastic card that allows the
cardholder electronic access to his or her bank account at a financial
institution. Some cards have a stored value for payment by withdrawing
funds from a designated account in favor of the designated payee's bank
account. The card can be used as an alternative payment method to cash
when making purchases. In some cases, the primary account number is
assigned for use on the Internet. Unlike credit and charge cards, a debit
card makes it possible to make an immediate payment to a payee from the
cardholder's designated bank account. Debit cards usually also allow for
instant withdrawal of cash, acting as the ATM card for withdrawing cash.

[0006] However, until now, no one has ever presented an electronic payment
system for an automated machine that may offer services or goods to
provide real-time electronic payment transactions. On the other side,
there would be a need for providing an electronic payment system that
enables to drive an automated machine such as a gaming machine at the
same time as reception and electronic settlement of a transaction fee
signal received from a cell phone.

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic
payment system capable of making electronic spot settlement for
transaction between a user who pays electronic money and the system for
driving an automated machine. Another object of the present invention is
to provide an electronic payment system applied to a gaming machine for
presenting games. Still another object of the present invention is to
provide a gaming machine capable of selecting either electronic or cash
payment for gaming.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The electronic payment system according to the present invention
comprises a mobile terminal (10) for emitting a remotely operable signal,
a communications device (5) connected to an automated machine (1) for
receiving remotely operable signal emitted from mobile terminal (10), and
an automatic payment device (6) linked to a financial database (7).
Communications device (5) receives a monetary signal indicative of a
transaction fee necessary to drive automated machine (1) simultaneously
with, before or after receiving remotely operable signal to retrieve from
remotely operable signal an account number that identifies a holder of
the account at financial database (7) and the monetary signal if
contained in remotely operable signal. Automatic payment device (6)
receives the holder's account number signal and the amount of the
transaction fee received from communications device (5) and withdraws the
amount of the transaction fee from the correct holder's account at
financial database (7) to produce an authorization signal to
communications device (5) that produces monetary signal to drive
automated machine (1). This system is very convenient because users can
obtain goods or services from automated machine (1) by the real-time
electronic payment for transaction between a user who pays electronic
money and the system of the present invention for driving an automated
machine, while an operator of the automated machine can surely receive an
immediate payment without credit transaction. Accordingly, users without
cash can emit a remotely operable signal from a mobile terminal to the
system of the invention that automatically makes settlement to drive the
automated machine.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] The above-mentioned and other objects and advantages of the present
invention will be apparent from the following description in connection
with the accompanying drawings showing gaming machines as preferred
embodiments of the electronic payment system of the invention wherein:

[0010] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a basic concept of the
electronic payment system according to the present invention;

[0011]FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a first embodiment of the
gaming machine according to the present invention;

[0012] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a stacker removed from the
gaming machine and arranged on a reading device to retrieve information
from a memory device attached to the stacker in the non-contact condition
of the memory device with the reading device;

[0013]FIG. 4 is a flow chart indicating an operational sequence of the
gaming machine according to the present invention; and

[0014]FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a second embodiment of the
gaming machine of prepaid card transaction type according to the present
invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0015] FIG. 1 shows the basic concept of the electronic payment system
according to the present invention that comprises a mobile terminal 10
for emitting a remotely operable signal that may include information on a
specific or unique account number or debit card number of a financial
database 7 that identifies a holder of the account. The system also
comprise a communications device 5 connected to an automated machine 1
for receiving remotely operable signal emitted from mobile terminal 10.
Communications device 5 may also receive a monetary signal indicative of
a transaction fee necessary to drive automated machine 1 simultaneously
with, before or after receiving remotely operable signal. When remotely
operable signal contains monetary signal, communications device 5 may
receive the information of account number and monetary signal contained
in remotely operable signal from mobile terminal 10. Alternatively,
monetary signal may be produced and transmitted to communications device
5 by another signal input device such as an entry device 25 as mentioned
below. A holder of the financial account usually is a same person that
owns the mobile terminal, however, may be a different person from the
owner of the mobile terminal.

[0016] Then, communications device 5 may retrieve holder's account number
of financial database 7 and monetary signal if they are contained in
remotely operable signal. The system may also comprise an automatic
payment device 6 linked to financial database 7 for receiving from
communications device 5 holder's account number signal of financial
database 7 and monetary signal of transaction fee and for withdrawing an
amount of transaction fee from the correct holder's account at financial
database 7 to produce an authorization signal if the received account
number is correct and the amount of transaction fee is within a deposit
balance of the account. Receiving authorization signal, communications
device 5 produces monetary signal to automated machine 1 to drive it at
the amount equivalent to a value of received monetary signal.

[0017] Mobile terminal 10 may emit a remotely operable signal such as a
radio or wireless signal or an optical beam signal of infrared,
ultraviolet or visible ray, etc. to receive remotely operable signal by
communications device 5. Mobile terminal 10 and communications device 5
are electrically connected to each other through wired or wireless mutual
communication means for radio or optical connection. Mobile terminal 10
also may include a cellular phone, a smart phone utilizing wireless
application protocol (WAP), personal digital assistant (PDA), portable
computer, or a hand held computer for electronic payment through the
debit or prepaid card transaction system. Debit card transaction systems
may include J-Debit, VISADebit and Debit Master. Prepaid card transaction
systems may include Eddy, Suica, PASMO, nanaco, and WAON. The
aforementioned systems and devices are exemplary and mobile terminal 10
may comprise ones for other electronic payment systems or devices. Also,
mobile terminal 10 may be an electronic computer terminal or an IC card
that incorporates a built-in non-contact IC chip such as for example
FeliCa (Registered Mark), MIFARE (Registered Mark) or NFC (Near Field
Communication) chips.

[0018] Mobile terminal 10 comprises memory means 34 such as a memory card
or flash memory in cellular phone for storing code information that
includes an account number of a holder's debit or prepaid card, PIN
(Personal Identification Number) and/or ID (Identification) number, entry
means 31 such as a numerical keypad or keyboard in cellular phone for
inputting an amount of a transaction fee signal such as gaming fees into
memory means 34, a CPU 35 electrically connected to all means for
preparing a remotely operable signal inclusive of the code information
stored from memory means 34, transmission means 32 for transmitting
remotely operable signal from CPU 35 to communications device 5,
reception means 33 for receiving a deal signal from communications device
5 when communications device 5 transmits to mobile terminal 10 the deal
signal produced by communications device 5, and battery means (not shown)
for supplying electric power to each means to perform reading, writing,
transmitting and receiving functions in mobile terminal 10. Memory means
34 does not need to store the code information for enhancement in
security if any code signals may be produced by entry means 31 and
transmitted outside through transmission means 32. A single convertible
transceiver means may be used for transmission and reception means 32,
33. CPU 35 may prepare remotely operable signal that contains an
transaction fee signal and a code signal inclusive of account number of
debit or prepaid card, PIN (Personal Identification Number) and/or ID
(Identification) number.

[0019] There are a variety of automated machines for receiving transaction
fee signal from communications device 5 may include automated teller
machines, vending machines, money exchangers or other money-operated
equipment or apparatus. The present invention adopts a gaming machine 1
as an example of automated machines, however, it would be apparent to
ordinary skill in the art that the electronic payment system of the
present invention can also apply to drive other automated machines in a
similar way.

[0020] Communications device 5 and automatic payment device 6 are
electrically linked to each other through wired, wireless or intranet
connection, Internet or combination thereof. Payment device 6 and
financial database 7 such as banking systems are linked to each other
through wired, wireless, intranet connection, Internet or combination
thereof. In embodiments of the present invention, communications device 5
may be disposed within, outside of or adjacent to gaming machine 1 so far
as users may operate mobile terminal 10 to access communications device 5
in the vicinity of or at a location not too far away from gaming machine
1. Both communications device 5 and payment device 6 may be disposed
within or outside of gaming machine 1 for any spatial reason, so far as
users may easily access gaming machine 1 and operate communications
device 5. For a similar reason, one of communications device 5 and
payment device 6 may be disposed within or outside of gaming machine 1 so
far as they may be electrically linked each other.

[0021] Communications device 5 comprises a signal processor 5b connected
to automated machine 1 for retrieving and producing an account number
that identifies a holder of the account at financial database 7 and if
necessary holder's PIN and/or ID numbers and monetary signals from
remotely operable signal received from mobile terminal 10, and a
communications interface 5a for intervening telecommunication between
mobile terminal 10 and signal processor 5b.

[0022]FIG. 2 illustrates a typical example of the automated machine
applied to a schematically depicted gaming machine 1. Gaming machine 1
comprises a bill acceptor 4, a drive device 3 connected to communications
device 5 and to gaming hardware 2 and a printer 11 for recording game
information on a recording medium. Bill acceptor 4 validates a bill
inserted from outside to produce a bill monetary signal to drive device 3
as a monetary signal of transaction fee when bill acceptor 4 decides that
the inserted bill is genuine. Drive device 3 generates to gaming hardware
2 drive signals of the amount equivalent to a value of received monetary
signal to present games when receiving each monetary signal from bill
acceptor 4. Printer 11 prints on recording medium data of game
information, money amount to be refunded and management codes to issue
the recording medium as a coupon.

[0023] Bill acceptor 4 comprises an inlet sensor 21 for producing a
detection signal when a bill is inserted into bill acceptor 4, a bill
sensor 22 for producing a characteristic signal inclusive of an optical
or magnetic signal when a bill is moved along bill sensor 22, a conveyor
(not shown) for transporting a bill along a passageway 23 in bill
acceptor 4 and a control device 8 for receiving detection signal from
inlet sensor 21 and characteristic signal from bill sensor 22 to produce
drive signals to conveyor when control device 8 considers the bill as
being genuine. Specifically, control device 8 may verify whether or not
the bill is genuine and what kind of denomination the bill has, and when
it decides that the bill is genuine, control device 8 generates a
denomination signal of the bill as a monetary signal to drive device 3.
On the other hand, control device 8 also receives from communications
device 5 monetary signal sent from mobile terminal 10, and so, transmits
to drive device 3 either of monetary signals that bill acceptor 4
produces and relays from communications device 5. Control device 8 is
electrically connected to a converter 5c of communications device 5 for
converting denomination signal from signal processor 5b into a serial
denomination signal and transmitting serial denomination signal to
control device 8 of bill acceptor 4. Control device 8 has a memory area
for storing a specific code identifying gaming machine 1 and also storing
both monetary signals that bill acceptor 4 produces and relays from
communications device 5. Otherwise, the present invention also
contemplates that bill acceptor 4 may validate valuable coupon tickets,
scrip, tender, tokens or substitutes of bills.

[0024] Bill acceptor 4 validates a bill inserted from outside to produce a
monetary signal of the bill to drive device 3 when bill acceptor 4
decides that the inserted bill is genuine. Bill acceptor 4 also receives
a monetary signal contained in remotely operable signal from signal
processor 5b through converter 5c of communications device 5, and
forwards monetary signal to drive device 3. Then, drive device 3 receives
either of monetary signals from bill acceptor 4 to generate to gaming
hardware 2 drive signals of the amount equivalent to a value of either
received monetary signal to allow gaming hardware 2 to conduct a game.
Each of monetary signals may indicate a money amount corresponding to one
or more of denominations of bills optically or magnetically readable by
bill acceptor 4. In other words, money amount to be transmitted may be
selected from amounts in denominations of bills readable by bill acceptor
4. By way of example, when bill acceptor 4 can selectively validate bills
of five kinds, i.e. one-dollar, five-dollar, ten-dollar, twenty-dollar or
one hundred-dollar bills, it would be preferable to send signals of the
amount selected from one-dollar, five-dollar, ten-dollar, twenty-dollar
or one hundred-dollar bill from mobile terminal 10 to communications
device 5.

[0025] Drive device 3 may generate to gaming hardware 2 drive signals of
the amount equivalent to a value of the received monetary signal when
receiving monetary signal through bill acceptor 4. Otherwise,
communications device 5 may forward monetary signal of transaction fee
directly to drive device 3 without bill acceptor 4 so that drive device 3
may produce to gaming hardware 2 drive signals of the amount equivalent
to the amount of transaction fee to drive gaming hardware 2 by drive
signals from drive device 3. This allows users to select either cash or
cashless electronic payment for gaming in amusement halls or casinos.

[0026] Bill acceptor 4 also comprises a stacker 9 for accommodating bills
considered genuine by control device 8, and a memory device 12
electrically connected to control device 8 and attached to stacker 9 for
storing monetary or denomination signals, account number signals, PIN and
ID number signals and specific code signal identifying gaming machine 1
forwarded from control device 8. Control device 8 distinctively stores in
the memory area both monetary signals produced by control device 8 and
transmitted from communications device 5. Memory device 12 distinctively
stores both monetary signals transmitted from both control device 8 and
communications device 5, account number signals, PIN and ID number
signals and specific code signal identifying gaming machine 1 all
forwarded from control device 8. Bill acceptor 4 is removably attached to
gaming machine 1 and also stacker 9 is removably attached to bill
acceptor 4 to easily take out and collect bills accumulated in stacker 9.
Accordingly, when bills in stacker 9 are to be collected, bill acceptor 4
is detached from gaming machine 1 and then stacker 9 is removed from bill
acceptor 4.

[0027] In operation, when mobile terminal 10 moves closer to
communications device 5, it emits radio signal inclusive of the account
number signal of financial database 7 identifying a holder of the account
and transaction fee signal to be paid for operation of gaming machine 1.
Then, communications device 5 receives radio signal to retrieve holder's
account number in radio signal and also receive a monetary signal
indicative of transaction fee that may be involved in radio signal.
Alternatively, communications device 5 may be connected to an entry
device 25 for inputting a monetary signal of a transaction fee for gaming
machine 1 to transmit monetary signal from entry device 25 to
communications device 5. Then, payment device 6 may receive monetary
signal from entry device 25 through communications device 5
simultaneously with, before or after receiving radio signal from mobile
terminal 10. Then, just like through an on-line debit or prepaid card
system, payment device 6 may withdraw the amount of transaction fee from
holder's account at financial database 7 when the amount of transaction
fee is within a deposit balance of the account. Then, payment device 6
produces an authorization signal to communications device 5 that then
sends the monetary signal to gaming machine 1 to drive it.

[0028] In another embodiment of the present invention, remotely operable
signal may include PIN and/or ID numbers to more strictly identify the
holder in addition to the holder's account number of mobile terminal 10
to increase security against unauthorized access to the holder's account.
When mobile terminal 10 emits radio signal inclusive of account number
and PIN and/or ID number, communications device 5 may receive radio
signal, retrieve account number and PIN and/or ID numbers from radio
signal and withdraw the amount of transaction fee from holder's account
at financial database 7 when PIN and/or ID numbers correspond to one or
ones of pass-codes or secret numbers at financial database 7. In lieu of
PIN and/or ID number included in radio signal, entry device 25 may be
used to produce PIN and/or ID number signals from entry device 25
connected to communications device 5 to feed them to payment device 6
through communications device 5 so that payment device 6 may withdraw the
amount of transaction fee from holder's account at financial database 7
when PIN and/or ID numbers correspond to one or ones of pass-codes or
secret numbers at financial database 7.

[0029] In a further embodiment of the instant invention, communications
device 5 may be connected to a visual and/or acoustic display device 20.
When communications device 5 receives authorization signal from payment
device 6, it produces and transmits a deal signal to mobile terminal 10
and/or to display device 20 to exhibit deal signal thereon. On another
aspect, when communications device 5 fails to retrieve account number in
radio signal or retrieves incorrect account number, payment device 6
produces an unauthorized signal to communications device 5 that then
produces and forwards a no-deal signal to mobile terminal 10 and/or to
display device 20 for exhibition of no-deal signal.

[0030] For example, when drive device 3 has completed its
program-controlled operation or when a force-quit button 24 is operated
to terminate the game, drive device 3 generates a refund money signal of
an unspent remaining amount, award, prize or jackpot obtained from the
game if any. Drive device 3 may transmit refund money signal and
management code signal to printer 11 and also to signal processor 5b of
communications device 5 to store money amount to be refunded in signal
processor 5b. Signal processor 5b may also transmit refund money signal
to reception means 33 of mobile terminal 10 through communications
interface 5a so that mobile terminal 10 may receive and write the refund
money signal in memory means 34 of mobile terminal 10 to add money amount
in memory means 34. Printer 11 may record data on the refund money signal
and necessary management code signals from drive device 3 on recording
medium or media and prepares a coupon of recording media for dispensation
of the coupon from printer 11. In this way, a mutual intercommunication
system may be established to transport and receive electronic signals
between mobile terminal 10 and signal processor 5b through wired,
wireless or radio or optical connection. Specifically, communications
interface 5a may receive remotely operable signal from mobile terminal
10, and transmit it to signal processor 5b that may receive remotely
operable signal from communications interface 5a. Signal processor 5b may
also retrieve and produce signals of account number or debit card number
for identifying the account owner or holder and the holder's PIN and/or
ID number and monetary signals or a denomination signal contained in
remotely operable signal and may then send the information to payment
device 6.

[0031] After or before bills are extracted from stacker 9, it is put on a
readout device 13 as shown in FIG. 3, but memory device 12 attached to
stacker 9 is retained in the non-contact condition away from readout
device 13 that may be operated to retrieve the following four kinds of
information stored in memory device 12:

[0032] (i) Total amount and total number of bills stowed in stacker 9;

[0036] The information readout device 13 has retrieved from memory device
12 is compared with the information of bills removed from stacker 9 and
with the information from communications device 5 to inspect whether or
not they match.

[0037] In still another embodiment, gaming machine 1 may comprise an entry
device made up of a plurality of choice switches, namely entry device 25
such as image switches on a display screen or made up of mechanical
selector switches to be chosen to determine a denomination of bills for
payment for games so that one or more of choice switches may be selected
to determine one or more of different charge amounts to be paid for
gaming to transmit one or more charge or denomination signals to signal
processor 5b of communications device 5. On the other hand, when mobile
terminal 10 transmits to communications device 5 remotely operable signal
including holder's account number signal, communications interface 5a may
receive account number signal from mobile terminal 10, and signal
processor 5b may receive chosen charge signal from entry device 25 and
holder's account number signal transmitted from mobile terminal 10.

[0038] In operation of gaming machine 1, a user may select either cash or
electronic payment for games with gaming machine 1. Selecting electronic
payment, he or she may operate entry means 31 of mobile terminal 10 to
input money amount of gaming fees into CPU 35 that may synthesize a
remotely operable signal by placing on a carrier wave the money amount of
gaming fees and account number signal stored in memory means 34 and then
transmit remotely operable signal to communications device 5 through
transmission means 32. In this way, user may move closer to gaming
machine 1 and allow mobile terminal 10 to lightly touch communications
interface 5a while making mobile terminal 10 produce and transmit
remotely operable signal from mobile terminal 10.

[0039] Then, FIG. 4 is a flow chart indicating further processing
subsequent to transmission of remotely operable signal from mobile
terminal 10 where processing moves on from Step 50 to 51, and so, signal
processor 5b determines whether to receive remotely operable signal from
mobile terminal 10. Receiving remotely operable signal through
communications interface 5a in Step 51, procedure goes to Step 60 where
signal processor 5b retrieves account number signal and monetary signal
from remotely operable signal when remotely operable signal contains both
account number and monetary signals. As mentioned before, in lieu of
transmission of monetary signal from mobile terminal 10, monetary signal
may be produced from entry device 25 to signal processor 5b. Then, signal
processor 5b sends them to payment device 6 that receives account number
and monetary signals and gains access to financial database 7 in Step 61
to determine whether the holder's account is legitimate and the amount of
transaction fee is within a deposit balance of the account. When payment
device 6 approves holder's account as legitimate and amount of
transaction fee as being within a deposit balance of the account, it may
withdraw the amount of transaction fee from holder's account at financial
database 7 (Step 64).

[0040] Subsequently, payment device 6 produces a deal signal and a
denomination signal as a monetary signal to signal processor 5b (Step 65)
that then receives denomination signal; converter 5c converts
denomination signal into a serial denomination signal to control device 8
of bill acceptor 4 that may receive serial signal in Step 66; and then,
control device 8 transmits denomination signals to drive device 3 (Step
56). This allows drive device 3 to produce drive signals of the amount
corresponding to denomination signal in accordance with built-in program
in drive device 3, and sends drive signals to game hardware 2 to conduct
a game. Then, gaming hardware 2 stops its operation in Step 57.

[0041] In Step 61, when payment device 6 does not approve holder's account
because of incorrect account number or amount of transaction fee as being
out of a deposit balance at the account, payment device 6 produces an
unauthorized signal to communications device 5 that produces no-deal
signal to mobile terminal 10 and display device 25 and finishes all
procedure in Step 63. If remotely operable signal contains PIN and/or ID
number, payment device 6 also decides whether it corresponds to one of
pass-codes or secret number in financial database 7 in addition to
identification of holder's account number at financial database 7. When
PIN and/or ID number corresponds to pass-codes or secret numbers, payment
device 6 produces an authorized signal, but, adversely, PIN and/or ID
number does not correspond to pass-codes or secret numbers payment device
6 produces an unauthorized signal.

[0042] Game hardware 2 may include all money-operated electronic gaming
machines such as slot machines provided with any drive device for
generating drive signals after payment by denomination signals of bills
considered genuine by bill acceptor 4. Control device 8 may retain its
memory area the amount of transaction fee, holder's account number of
financial database 7 and specific code identifying gaming machine and
also transmit and write these information in memory device 12 attached to
stacker 9. When payment device 6 makes unauthorized decision on payment
in Step 61, it produces an unauthorized signal on payment to signal
processor 5b (Step 62) to cease operations (Step 63).

[0043] On the other hand, when user selects cash payment, processing also
begins with Step 50 in FIG. 4 and goes to Step 51 where without
electronic signals received by signal processor 5b, and he or she inserts
a bill or bills into bill acceptor 4 in Step 52, and, control device 8
receives detection signal from inlet sensor 21, while considering on
whether inserted bill is genuine or not in Step 53. When control device 8
determines the bill to be inauthentic, it drives conveyor in the reverse
direction to return bill to inlet of bill acceptor 4 (Step 58), and
ceases the operation in Step 59. Adversely, when control device 8
considers bill to be genuine in Step 53, it determines the amount of bill
(Step 54); stacker 9 stows the bill therein (Step 55); control device 8
forwards its denomination signal to drive device 3 (Step 56) to perform
continuous operations and to stop the operation (Step 57). In this way,
communications device 5 allows for cashless operation of gaming machine
after verification of the monetary signal in remotely operable signal
received from mobile terminal 10.

[0044] When drive device 3 has completed its program-controlled operation
or when a player operates a force-quit button 24, drive device 3
immediately causes gaming hardware 2 to cease the game, and at the same
time, drive device 3 generates and transmits to communications device 5
and printer 11 management codes and a refund money signal of an unspent
remaining amount or payback amount data such as award, prize or jackpot
obtained from the game if any, and communications device 5 transmits the
refund money signal to mobile terminal 10. Then, printer 11 prints refund
money signal on a printing media and dispenses a coupon thereof. In lieu
of or in addition to dispensing a coupon, drive device 3 may send refund
or payback amount data to communications device 5 that may convert the
received refund money signal into a predetermined format and send them to
mobile terminal 10. In this way, this system is very convenient because
users can obtain goods or services from automated machine by real-time
electronic payment for transaction while an operator of the automated
machine can surely receive a payment without credit transaction.

[0045]FIG. 5 is a block diagram schematically showing another embodiment
of the electronic payment system of prepaid type without automatic
payment device 6 according to the present invention applied to gaming
machine. In this embodiment, memory means 34 of mobile terminal 10 stores
an electronic amount signal of prepaid money and at least one specific
signal of PIN and ID numbers for identifying a holder of mobile terminal
10. Transmission means 32 of mobile terminal 10 emits a remotely operable
signal including the at least one specific signal. A storage device 13
stores at least one of users' PIN and ID. Communications device 5 is
connected to automated machine 1 and receives remotely operable signal
emitted from mobile terminal 10 to retrieve at least one specific signal
in remotely operable signal. Communications device 5 also receives a
monetary signal indicative of a transaction fee necessary to drive
automated machine 1 simultaneously with, before or after receiving
remotely operable signal. Monetary signal may be contained in remotely
operable signal so that it may be emitted from mobile terminal 10 and
received by communications device 5. Otherwise, monetary signal may be
produced by entry device 25 to communications device 5. When
communications device 5 decides that monetary signal and at least
specific signal are valid as a result of comparing the at least specific
signal with that stored in storage device 13, communications device 5
produces monetary signal to drive automated machine 1 and also produces a
deduction signal of transaction fee to mobile terminal 10. Subsequently,
mobile terminal 10 receives deduction signal from communication device 5
to deduct transaction fee from prepaid money amount in memory means 34.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0046] The present invention is applicable to electronic payment systems
for automated machines such as gaming machines, automated teller
machines, vending machines, money exchangers or other money-operated
equipment or apparatus.